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How to tip in different countries
By Brandon Gee
If you're travelling overseas on holiday this summer the preparations may already seem overwhelming - so the last thing you're likely to worry about is tipping.
You could regret that, however, once you're sitting in the back of a taxi that has just taken you to your hotel, as you fumble with an unfamiliar currency, wondering how much to tip, if at all. And your troubles aren't likely to stop there - the hotel porter may take your bags up to your room and you'll probably want to go out to dinner.
In India, for example, you could have saved yourself a headache by finding out beforehand that you should round the taxi fare up to the next 10 rupees and give porters 10 rupees a bag; if the concierge got you your taxi on your way out to dinner, he would appreciate five rupees; and at dinner it's appropriate to tip 10% of the bill, unless a service charge is included.
Tipping as an insult
Tipping in developing countries and Asia is perhaps the most confusing. Not only do customs vary hugely, but there are often ethical and cultural factors to consider. Keen to avoid an awkward situation, many tourists will err on the side of generosity. However, this strategy might not be as acceptable as you would think.
In many cultures, for example, particularly in Asian and Pacific countries such as Japan, tipping is actually perceived as an insult. You could even end up breaking the law - in Vietnam tipping is illegal. In other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, a tip is simply not expected. In Singapore tipping is not encouraged. But, while it's also not customary in nearby Malaysia and Thailand, the practice is growing in resorts.
At the other end of the spectrum are countries where tipping is a way of life. The first word many travellers to Egypt learn is baksheesh (tip), and anyone dealing with or helping tourists will expect a small tip.
Poverty trap
In poor countries, it's particularly difficult deciding how much to tip. Most Mexican tourist industry workers, for example, live near the poverty line, and your tips will be greatly appreciated. In countries such as these, sticking to local rates of tipping can be particularly difficult as the people you're tipping know how much you would tip their counterpart back home and could push to get the same. This can be a tough ethical dilemma, so it's worth thinking through what you think is appropriate before you leave, to avoid difficult situations.
In the US, tipping is more straightforward: tip more people and tip them more. Tips of between 15% to 20% are standard in restaurants, and a service charge won't usually be added. Bar staff and taxi drivers will expect a similar level of tip. If you fail to tip, it's unlikely you'll be hassled for it - but if you're in a bar or a restaurant and plan to return, don't expect the same level of service next time.
When travelling closer to home, it's easy to assume tipping customs will be the same. But this isn't necessarily so. Take restaurants across Europe. Some include service charges, others don't. Even if there is a service charge, you may be expected to tip a little extra. In Denmark, tipping isn't expected in restaurants at all. In Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, you should tip 10%, but only if there's no service charge. In Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Ukraine, you should tip 5% to 10%, even if there's a service charge. In Switzerland and Romania, you'll only be expected to round up your bill.
Do your research
Researching tipping practices is relatively simple. There are numerous books devoted to the subject, such as The Itty Bitty Guide to Tipping and The Travellers Handbook on Tipping. Simply entering 'tipping' and your destination country into an online search engine will also bring up plenty of information.
However, while giving due consideration to etiquette, you don't want to get ripped off. So the most important point to remember is that a tip is an additional payment to reward good service. If you've been treated horrendously, don't be pressured into tipping. Also, remember a tip isn't necessary if you have negotiated a price first, as it should be assumed that the tip is built in - for example, in un-metered taxis. Finally, if you're in any country where a tip is expected, you'll spare yourself a lot of hassle and expense if you always have a ready supply of change in your pocket.
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